5 New York Giants Who Could Drop Down Depth Chart in 2012

The NFL is very unique in that each year, every team sees a great deal of turnover. This is expected given the age of free agency and the fact that there are 11 starters on each side of the ball plus special teams. The New York Giants are no different, and some players who had significant rolls could see their spots taken by younger players.

Or in one particular case, someone who may have high expectations of himself could be limited by an injury he suffered in 2011.

These are not predictions by any means, but it would not be surprising in the slightest to see these players lose playing time to better, younger players.

David Diehl

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The New York Giants have started mini-camp with David Diehl as the starting right tackle. With Will Beatty out and Diehl taking no snaps at left tackle, this should tell you something about the Giants' intentions with Diehl.

However, to say Diehl is on a short leash would be an understatement. He performed poorly in 2011 while at the left guard and left tackle spots. A change to the right side could rejuvenate him, or it could spell the end of a long and illustrious career.

Especially with a combination of veterans and young rookies capable of playing the spot.

Bear Pascoe

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Bear Pascoe is one of the more underrated players on the Giants. He is capable of playing both full back and tight end, and when targeted has reliable hands. He is a good blocker, but could stand to improve in the area.

With 2012 fourth-round pick Adrien Robinson now in the fold, Pascoe had better be looking over his shoulder. Robinson spent most of his time as a blocking tight end in college at Cincinnati, but he is an athletic specimen whom Jerry Reese called "the JPP of tight ends."

That's some high praise and gives you insight into their plans for Robinson. They likely view him as a project, but if he takes strides learning the offense, he could overtake Pascoe as Martellus Bennett's backup.

D.J. Ware

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D.J. Ware spent the 2011 season backing up Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs, and at times, backing up just one of them (injuries). He disappointed in his first year with significant carries. 3.5 yards per carry is not going to cut it, especially when you're getting 46 carries.

With Da'Rel Scott having a year under his belt, along with the Giants picking up an intriguing fullback/running back hybrid in Joe Martinek, D.J. Ware could not only fall down the depth chart, he could be looking for work in September.

After four years with little production, it could be time for the Giants to simply move on.

Clint Sintim

Jeff Zelevansky/Getty ImagesThis is Sintim, who now wears No. 52

This one is a bit difficult to call considering it's hard to place Sintim on the depth chart. Michael Boley, Keith Rivers, Chase Blackburn, Jacquian Williams and Mathias Kiwanuka all figure to be ahead of him.

Mark Herzlich, Greg Jones and Spencer Paysinger also impressed in camp last season.

With so many bodies to compete with, someone coming off a major knee injury (torn patella tendon and torn ACL) will have a hell of a time finding a roster spot all together, let alone playing time. Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell spoke about Sintim's role so far in camp.

We really can’t say because he’s being handled by the doctors on what he can do and what he can’t do. Mentally, he’s in the meetings...I was in the linebacker meeting today and we were talking about different defenses and reactions, so he was mentally in tune with what we’re doing.

Since Sintim figured to be in the rotation in 2011, I'd say right now he's looking at a demotion unless he has an eye-opening training camp.

Chase Blackburn

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Chase Blackburn has been the starter during the first couple of mini-camp sessions, but more than once, the Giants coaches have hinted at Keith Rivers eventually getting time at the position. They are holding him back because he needs to learn the defense first, according to defensive coordinator Perry Fewell

He’s still a work in progress from a mental standpoint. He made two good plays out there today in pass coverage. He had two alignment busts today, and we said something to him. The first time it didn’t click, and we said something to him again and it clicked after the second time. It’s still a work in progress but he is an athletic guy.

The Giants will be a unique group in that they have as many as six linebackers they like that could see playing time on a consistent basis. But if Rivers takes off and runs away with the middle spot, it could spell less time for Blackburn.